Root cutter for sewer pipes



@Pam M? E936, G. J. CHRISTIAN ROOT CUTTER FOR SEWER PIPES Filed Aug. 14, 1935 JW Si y www mww/ Patented Jan. 1,4, 1.936

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a root cutter for use in sewer pipes.

In many places sewer pipes become clogged by the growth therewithin of tree roots which have which is simple, compact and rugged and is easily introduced into a pipe in which it is to be used.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side View of my root cutter shown in operative relation with a sewer pipe, the cutter being shown in full and the pipe in section;

Fig. 2 is another side View similar to the View in Fig. 1, but taken at right angles thereto, and

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional View taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 as indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawing, I is a shank formed of hard wood or other suitable material and preferably of square cross-section. A pair of flat elongated frame members II are secured at corresponding ends thereof to the shank I0 by bolts IIa or other suitable means. The frame members I I diverge forwardly and outwardly from adjacent the forward end of the shank I0 for a relatively short distance and then extend further forwardly in parallel relation to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the shank I0.

Resilient braces I2 are clamped at corresponding ends between the respective ones of the flat members II and the shank I0 and curve forwardly and outwardly from adjacent the forward end of the shank I0 to bear at their free ends against the inner sides of the medial portions of the respective ones of the frame members II.

An elongated guide leaf or spring I3 is secured at its rearward end to one of the remaining two sides of the shank I0 by means of the bolts I3a. The guide spring I3 extends forwardly and outwardly from adjacent the forward end of the shank I0 and is curved inwardly at its free and outer end portion.

An arcuate cutter bar I4, formed of flat material and having both edges sharpened is curved to have a substantially semicircular shape. The end portions of the cutter bar I4 are secured to the free end portions of the respective ones of the frame members II by means of screws I5 which extend outwardly through suitably apertured portions of the cutter bar I4 and the frame members II. A rectangular block I 6 having internally screw-threaded apertured portions is located immediately outward of each of the apery tured end portions of the cutter bar I4 and the 10 outer portions of the screws I5 are threadedly engaged with the apertures in the block I6. The cutter bar is disposed on the opposite side of the frame members II from the guide spring I 3 in substantially concentric relation with the longitudinal axis of the shank Ill.

A material-withdrawing horn II, formed of flat material, is clamped at its forward end between the forward end of each of the frame members II and the heads of the screws I5 associated therewith. The free portion of each of the horns I'I extends rearwardly and inwardly so that the pair of horns converges rearwardly and each horn diverges rearwardly with respect to the frame member II with which it is associated.

The frame members II, the braces I2, cutter bar I4, and the horns I I are preferably constructed of strong, somewhat resilient material such as tool steel or the like.

A suitable tting for connection to conventional forms of sectional rodding such as used in underground pipes and conduits is secured to the rear end of the shank I0. As shown in the drawing, a pair of plates I8 are secured by means of bolts I8a to opposite sides of the rear portion of the shank I 0 and extend somewhat rearwardly therefrom. A cross-pin I 8b is secured at its respective ends in suitable apertures in the rearwardly extending portions of the plates I8. A rod section I9 of one of the types available carries a hook-like attachment fitting I9a on the forward end thereof which is retained at its forward end between the rear portions of the plates I8 and is engaged with the cross-pin I8b. It is to be understood that various other types of fittings may be mounted on the rear portion of the shank I0 in accordance with the type of attachment fittings provided on the particular type of sectional rodding to be used. The attachment fittings used may be of any form which will transmit torque from. the rod to the shank I Il and permit both pushing and pulling of the shank I0 by means of the rod.

Various sizes of cutter bars I4 may be used on my device and changing of the bar I4 is easily 55 accomplished when the screws I5 have been removed. The resiliency of the fiat frame members II permits spreading apart of the same to various distances to accommodate attachment thereto of various sizes of cutter bars. The braces I2 are tensioned to exert an outwardly directed pressure on the frame members I l for 'all degrees of spread of the same within the limits for which the device is designed. The guide spring I3 is also tensioned to exert an outwardltr directed pressure.

The blocks I6 are beveled or rounded so as to minimize the possibility of their catching on any projection.

Tree roots nd entrance to the interior of a sewer pipe through the joints between pipe sections as shownin Figs. 1 and 2 and form a root structure in the interior of the pipe which ultimately obstructs the pipe.

In use of my root cutter for removing root structures from pipes a size of cutter bar I4 is selected which has a radius of curvature similar to that of the interior of the pipe. The device is introduced into a pipe through an open end thereof or any other suitable entrance with the end on which the cutter bar is mounted leading. A section of rod I9 is attached to the fitting I8 of the device and the device is pushed further into the pipe by means of the rod. By alternately adding sections of rod and pushing the same into the pipe the cutter is projected to the point at which the obstruction is located.

The last attached section of rod is reciprocated to produce chopping action of the cutter whereby the roots are chopped ofi by the cutter bar. It is to be noted that the double edged cutter bar is capable of cutting or chopping either when pro- `iected forwardly or when drawn rearwardly. If roots are present at all sides of the pipe the rod may be rotated through successive portions of a revolution to dispose the cutter bar successively in positions adjacent the top, bottom and sides of the pipe whereby roots may be chopped while the cutter bar is in each of the several positions.

`for use in If the pipe being cleared is not a dead-ended pipe a substantial stream of water may be introduced into the pipe to carry away the severed pieces of root. If the pipe is a dead-ended pipe continued reciprocation of the cutter can be made to wedge 5 pieces of root between the horns I'I and the at frame members I I after which the pieces of root so caught may be withdrawn from the pipe along with the cutting device.

The cutting device is withdrawn from the pipe 1'0 by pulling on the sectional rod, each section of rod being detached as soon as the next section is within reach.

The horns I1 may or may not be used with the cutter depending upon whether water is used to 15 carry away the severed pieces of root or whether it is necessary to withdraw the pieces.

It is apparent that I have invented a novel, rugged, effective and easily operated root cutter sewer pipes whereby root growths 20 within such pipes may be removed without the necessity of digging up the pipes.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, proportions and arrangement of the parts without 25 departing from the scope of my invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and dened in the appended claim. 30

What is claimed isz- In a root cutter for use in sewer pipes and the like, a shank, a pair of elongated frame mernbers attached to said shank and extending forwardly and outwardly from one end thereof in 35 spaced relation, an arcuate cutter bar secured at two portions thereof to the forward portions of the respective frame members so as to be disposed in substantially concentric relation to the axis of said shank and a pair of resilient elements both secured to said shank and respectively'bearing outwardly against the medial portions of said framev members to exert outward pressure thereon.

GEORGE J. CHRISTIAN. 

